WiMax set for summer of ’08

After years of speculation, it seems that the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas is confirming that WiMax is finally ready to make a presence this year.

WiMax, primarily back by Intel, has been touted as a superior wireless broadband with better range and speed than Wi-Fi. Gregory Ofili, director of marketing for Intel and vice-chair of the WiMax Forum, said the technology’s supporters have been waiting until WiMax was more widely deployed by internet service providers.

Here is where Canada steps in: David Robinson, vice-president of new business planning for Rogers Wireless, a member of the WiMax Forum steering body, said the company was waiting on consumer devices to be introduced before committing full investment in WiMax. Rogers is also in partnership with Bell Canada and is testing early WiMax technology through its Inukshuk joint venture.

David Robinson said “That’s a very favourable sign for WiMax. The deployment of WiMax-enabled consumer devices is “critical” to Rogers’ investment decisions”